Mass nesting of Olive Ridley turtles begins at Gahiramatha

Bhubaneswar: Mass nesting of endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles has started at Gahiramatha Marine Sanctuary in Kendrapada district.

Sources said, within two days more than 15,000 Olive Ridley turtles have laid eggs in the Abdul Kalam Island and Nasi Island areas of the sanctuary.

On the other hand, Rajnagar forest official said more than 50,000 turtles have also arrived on Abdul Kalam Island for nesting.

“For sporadic nesting of Olive Ridley turtles 93 hatcheries have been set up in every division to ensure safety of eggs laid by the turtles. Besides, more than 50,000 female turtles have arrived in Wheeler Island (Abdul Kalam Island) of Bhadrak district for nesting,” Bimal Prasanna Acharya, DFO of Rajnagar forest and wildlife division said.